CM Siddaramaiah says no going back on Tipu anniversary and steel bridge project in Bengaluru

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 30, 2016: Undeterred by right-wing opposition that protested against the State government celebrating Tippu Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the erstwhile Muslim ruler in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah today said the event will be celebrated withfull fervour. He said no importance can be attached to opposition from RSS and its allies, as they are "communal".

 

He was interacting with reporters on arrival at the Mangaluru International Airport for a day’s tour of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

 

Denying allegations that corruption was done in the Rs 1,761 crore steel flyover project in Bengaluru, the construction of which was stayed by the Green Tribunal, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said there was total transparency in the project.Opposition BJP was "spreading lies" on the project, "which was initiated during their rule in 2010", he said.

"Many BJP legislators were in support of the project", he claimed. "BJP did not oppose the project when it was announced in the 2014 budget. The party was raising objections now for reasons best known to them," he said.

When asked about the separate sand policy for coastal districts, he said we have called a meeting on November 3 and clarity on this issue will emerge soon after that. Mr Siddaramaiah also said that process of appointments to State-run boards and corporations would be made very soon.

District in-charge minister Ramanatha Rai, Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader, DC Dr K G Jagadeesh, MLC Ivan D’Souza, MLAs J R Lobo, Moideen Bawa, Abhayachandra Jain, Mayor Harinath, City Police commissioner M Chandra Shekar, SP Bhushan Gulabrao Borase were present at the airport among others.